Kapaa's Justin DeForge carried the ball 12 times for a game-high 75 yards in a win over Nanakuli. Eugene Tanner | SL

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08091557_ET_Kapaa_Nanakuli_03_0566.JPG - Eugene Tanner | SL

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KAPOLEI — Kapaa, the second-ranked team in the Hawaiian Electric Division II Power Rankings, rolled past top-ranked Nanakuli, 20-2 in the season-opener for both teams Saturday night.

First-year quarterback Kurt Napoleon passed for 75 yards and one touchdown, and added another score on the ground in the win. Linebacker Mosese Fifita racked up a game-high 11 tackles and returned a fumble 26 yards for a touchdown to bolster the Warriors' defense.

"I'm just proud of this team," said Napoleon. "This was a huge game for us. This is going to help us big time heading into the regular season."

The Golden Hawks were without almost half their team due to academic probation and injuries, suiting up just 26 players. In spite of this, Nanakuli coach Keala Watson took the loss in stride and was optimistic on the lessons it may bring.

"I actually enjoyed the game," he said. "It gave our guys who are responsible enough to be out there, an opportunity to play and get some reps in. It was good development. We saw a lot of things that we need to work on and hats off to Kapaa. The score showed who was the superior team today. We know what we have to fix now. We're going to go back to the drawing board and get ready for our regular season."

With most of Nanakuli's players having to play both ways, the Warriors' no-huddle, run-heavy offense wore down the Golden Hawks as the game went on. Justin DeForge led Kapaa's ground game with 12 carries for 75 yards — which included a 29-yard scamper late in the fourth quarter to set up Napoleon's one-yard touchdown run to ice the game.

"The Nanakuli defense, they were holding it down and they did a helluva job," explained Napoleon. "We just felt that if we just go head-to-head, pound-for-pound, we'll be able to get some yardage."

Kapaa's defense also got better as the game progressed. Nanakuli quarterback Nainoa Banks was 12 of 16 passing for 114 yards in the first half, but completed under 50 percent of his passes after the break and tossed two interceptions — both of which were picked off by Bryce Dato.

Other standouts on the Warriors' defense include Mana Kupihea (nine tackles), Kapena Texeira (five tackles, sack) and Jayson Hawthorne (four tackles, fumble recovery).

"We made some adjustments as usual, but I think we started to dig a little deeper and asked ourselves to make some stops," said Kapaa coach Phillip Rapozo. "It helped out the offense so I'm very proud. "I'm ecstatic to get this win."

Both teams had an impressive drive to start the game, but saw it come to an end with a fumble in the red zone. The game remained scoreless for the entire duration of the first half up until the final minute of the second quarter. After the defense forced a three-and-out, Napoleon found Gabe Keener streaking down the left sideline for a 36-yard touchdown pass. Clifton Oliver's PAT gave Kapaa a 7-0 lead into the break.

The Golden Hawks' only score of the game came after their defense forced a three-and-out on the Warriors' first series of the third quarter. The snap on the punt attempt was too high for Napoleon to field and was kicked out of the back of the end zone for a safety.

Fifita's fumble return for a touchdown was a result of a similar situation. The 6-foot-1, 220-pound senior linebacker recovered a bobbled snap on fourth-and-17 and was able to take the loose ball untouched into the end zone. Oliver tacked on the PAT to give Kapaa a 14-2 lead with 7:15 left in regulation.

"Everybody did their assignments, played good and smart," said Fifita.

Banks finished the game going 23-for-40 with 202 passing yards. His favorite target, Chyson Morgan, caught 10 passes for 98 yards in the loss. William Raposa (10 tackles) and Randy Manewa (nine tackles, sack) led the Golden Hawks' defensive effort.

Nanakuli will look to bounce back in its regular season opener against Kalaheo while Kapaa returns home to host Lahainaluna. Both games are slated for next Saturday.